The children of Okuama community in Ughelli south local government area of Delta State have been denied access to education since the military invasion that left their community in ruins.
The right to education, a fundamental human right and a key pillar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 & 3, is under threat in Okuama.
Children have been denied access to schooling due to ongoing crises and alleged government neglect.
Despite the SDGs 2 & 3, which emphasize universal primary education and gender equality in schooling, Governor Oborevwori’s administration has failed to intervene, leaving the future of these children in jeopardy.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration faces growing criticism for failing to address this educational crisis, which has left hundreds of children stranded without learning opportunities.
Education in Crisis: Schools Shut, Futures Stalled
Before the military invasion, children in Okuama had access to education, though in challenging conditions.
Today, schools remain shut, teachers have fled, and displaced families struggle to survive.
This complete breakdown of the education system violates SDG 2, which aims for universal primary education, and SDG 3, which seeks to eliminate gender disparities in schooling.
Parents and community leaders express frustration over the state government’s inaction.
Many argue that the Oborevwori-led administration is worsening the situation by failing to establish emergency education programs or provide any form of relief to affected families.
A Community in Educational Darkness
Okuama, a once-thriving community, has been devastated by conflict that has displaced families and shut down schools, leaving children with no access to basic education.
Parents and community leaders lament that the government’s failure to restore normalcy has crippled the future of young learners who are now trapped in a cycle of ignorance and poverty.
According to local sources, schools in Okuama remain closed, and the government has provided no alternative learning options, violating SDG 2’s goal of achieving universal primary education and SDG 3’s mission to eliminate gender disparities in education.
Government Negligence and Public Outcry
Critics accuse Governor Oborevwori of turning a blind eye to the educational disaster unfolding in Okuama.
While other parts of Delta State benefit from government-sponsored school programs, Okuama children remain trapped in a cycle of neglect and despair.
“The government cannot claim to be committed to education while allowing an entire community’s children to grow up without schooling,” said a local activist.
“This is a deliberate frustration of SDGs 2 and 3, and it will have devastating consequences for the future of these children.”
Comrade Victor Akemor and Hon. Jacob Akemor among other community leafers said: “You can see that the children are unable to attend school.
“Looking at the church premises, you’ll notice children playing around even though it’s a Friday—simply because they have no school to go to.
“That’s why we’re appealing to the Federal and State governments for assistance.”
“The contractors responsible for the primary school, health center, and community town hall projects have yet to make any progress.
“Our people are still struggling, sleeping in disarray, and hunger is widespread in the community. It is only by God’s mercy that they are still alive”, Osenveta, a community leader decried.
Government’s Inaction and the Backlash
Despite calls from civil society organizations and education advocates, the Oborevwori-led administration has remained largely silent on the issue.
Critics argue that the government’s negligence is worsening educational inequality, particularly for young girls who are disproportionately affected by school closures.
“This situation is unacceptable,” said an education rights activist. “Children in Okuama deserve the same opportunities as others in Delta State.
By failing to act, the government is setting back years of progress in achieving education for all.”
A Call for Immediate Action
With no clear plan from the state government, education advocates, civil society organizations, and affected families are demanding urgent intervention:
Immediate reopening of schools and deployment of temporary learning centers.
Deploying emergency education programs to ensure children do not fall further behind.
Special government intervention programs to support displaced children.
Security guarantees to ensure that teachers and students can safely return.
The world is watching as Okuama’s children remain forgotten victims of a crisis that should have been addressed long ago.
The failure to act on this crisis will not only deepen educational inequality in Delta State but also undermine Nigeria’s commitment to global education goals.
If Governor Oborevwori does not prioritize the education of Okuama’s children, history will remember his administration as one that failed its most vulnerable citizens when they needed leadership the most.
If urgent steps are not taken, the Oborevwori administration risks being remembered as one that failed to protect the most vulnerable, allowing education, a basic right, to become a casualty of political and social instability.
